Hillary
Clinton and Bernie Sanders during the CNN Democratic presidential
primary debate at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on Thursday, April 14 in
New York City.AP Photo/Seth
Wenig

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders had a heated back-and-forth in
Thursday's Democratic debate in an exchange over gun regulations.

CNN moderator Wolf Blitzer asked Clinton about a recent comment
she made, claiming that Vermont supposedly has the highest
per-capita number of guns that end up being used in crimes in New
York.

Blitzer painted that statement as untrue, saying that a
very small percentage of guns used to commit crimes in New York
come from the state. He asked Clinton if she believed her
statement or if it was simply an attempt to slam
Vermont and Sanders, who represents the state in the US Senate.

Clinton, the former secretary of state, said, "Of course not."
She said that gun control was simply an issue where she has
"a lot of difference" with Sanders.

Sanders chuckled while Clinton gave the answer.

"This isn't a laughing matter," Clinton shot back. "Ninety people
on average are killed or commit suicide or die from accidents
with guns [every day] — 33,000 people a year. I take it really
seriously."

Sanders appeared to become angered, asking Blitzer why
she "didn't answer your question."

"She didn't answer the question, Wolf," he said. "That she
thought that Vermont was responsible for a lot of the gun
violence."

"She said no," Blitzer responded.

"Then why did she put out that statement?" Sanders said, and
became bristled as Clinton attempted to cut off his answer.